First Thoughts: La Galera Connecticut

• Vitola: Robusto “Chaveta”
• Size: 5.125″ x 50 ring gauge
• MSRP $4.95
• Provided by local area rep

Background

I was hoping to be back up to full review strength by now. The major cold symptoms I was experiencing have passed, leaving just some residual weariness, an occasional sneeze, and a bit of coughing every now and then…along with a drier-than-normal throat and mouth and recurring sore throat to go with it…and the feeling that my palate is a little wrecked, dried out and puffy in places. Yeah, I’m not really good to “review” cigars at the moment…but the work doesn’t end. Along with needing to populate these pages with some content, I have cigars that have to be “auditioned” for possible upcoming addition to the Burns humidor. I figured I would do both at the same time for a few sticks and try to get through this week while tentatively planning to be ready to actually render scored verdicts again by this time next week.

Last Friday, one of our local cigar brokers dropped by the shop and laid out some sales sheets and sample cigars for me as I tried to talk to a non-smoker about cigars as he prepared for his upcoming trip to Cuba. When I got a moment, the rep told me that this brand is “Indian Head Cigars” (which sounded familiar) and the blend was “La Galera” (which didn’t). In checking with IndianHeadCigars.com, all I found was a page offering to add you to a mailing list. I have more information from my rep’s sales sheet…which basically says this:

“La Galera is the heart of any tobacco factory. To us, it’s the space where our experienced master rollers concentrate to express their art in elaborating exquisite and refined cigars; using premium aged tobaccos from the best fields of the Cibao Valley to make one of our best creations.”

They are making La Galera Connecticut in 5 sizes for the American market (Robusto, 6 x 54 Toro, 7.25 x 50 Churchill, 6.125 x 52 Torpedo, and 5.25 x 60 Short Gordo) and an additional 3 sizes for the European market (a 5 x 38 Corona, a 6 x 46 Corona Gorda, and a 5.5 x 42 Bonchero No. 4). A note indicates that these European sizes will be available for retailers who carry the full La Galera Connecticut and Habano lines. (Yes, there is another blend, which I’ll take a look at for tomorrow.)

La Galera Connecticut uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over all Dominican fillers and binder leaves. The binder is a Piloto Cubano leaf, while the fillers are T-112, Piloto Cubano and Criollo 98.

As indicated before, I smoked one of these and the local rep gave it to me.

Notes

I like the band on La Galera. It’s fairly intricate and detailed, looking rich, while probably not being all that expensive to create…after all the price point of these cigars is pretty low. I also noted that the wrapper leaf, while decently even in color and oiliness, had a few off-color spots and wasn’t as smooth over the bunch as you would expect on more expensive cigars.

The aroma from the wrapper was a non-distinct grassy, hay-like note…clean with a touch of sweetness, but nothing special in the world of Connys. The foot had a touch of Dominican earthiness added to the grassier aromas. The feeling of “nothing special going on” extended through the cold draw and light-up periods as well. The first few puffs were good, but not great. I smoked this on my way in to Burns on Saturday morning and as I pulled out of my driveway, my thoughts were that I would probably wouldn’t be tempted to toss it out the window, but neither would it really grab my attention that much.

After five minutes or so, the flavor started to come together into something better, though. I got a thick, syrupy sweetness with touches of maple and molasses, notes of grass and hay in the creamy smoke. The first few puffs had quite a bit of pepper, but after a bit it settled out into a nice white pepper with just a slight burn.

I continued to enjoy La Galera Connecticut all the way through my drive to Chattanooga (about 50 minutes) and slightly into my time opening up the shop when I got there. I did have to re-light at one point (occupational hazard when you work in a cigar shop) but it was still a very good smoke. Overall, I really enjoyed this blend…definitely more than I really expected to. I spoke to Mike, who owns the shop, and he really enjoyed the sample he smoked, too…so I think we’ll be bringing this one in at some point. If the Habano blend is as good as this Connecticut, it will be a no-brainer.

Look for that preview to post tomorrow…until then, Happy Monday!!!